Path 2

Path 2

With Donations, Cuomo is Like a Mini-Romney

May 12, 2012

This is the promo video for the Committee to Save New York, the outrageously-named pro-Cuomo PAC that loves Andrew. The Governor urged the creation of the fundraising committee before he stepped into office and the monies gathered have supported the advertising of his first term’s achievements thus far.

Run by three business-y board members – Rob Speyer of Tishman-Speyer, Kathryn S. Wilde of the Partnership for New York City and Steven Spinola of the Real Estate Board of New York – the Committee to Save New York raised over $17 million last year for the head honcho of Albany. Except it didn’t come from “ordinary, hard-working New Yorkers.”

According to documents obtained by media organizations like The New York Times, only 20 donors contributed to $12 million of that campaign cash slash fund. That’s a check of $600,000 each, if you do the quick math. It’s also the fifth most expensive lobbying effort in Albany’s history. In other words, Cuomo has alot of keesh.

But, of course, the donations were much more disproportionate: one rich fatcat gave a solid $3 million while another $1.75 million. Of course, since the millionaires together are classified as a 501(c)4 non-profit, the hoi polloi cannot find out who or what donated all that money to the guy running the State. The irony of it all: Cuomo’s PAC has an MO on their website that states “the general public needs a voice…” Thumbs up for transparency!

This is all reminiscent of Mitt’s campaign for the White House – one that is basically bankrolled by the super-rich who they think have “insufficient influence” over the pulse of our nation’s beating political heart. Back in the primary days, The Drudge Report reported that 41 donors were basically bankrolling the entire Romney campaign. Cuomo could learn a lesson or two (or 21 more millionaires).

Who is your Sheldon Adelson? Where are your Koch brothers? That is the Great Electoral Rule of this modern age: find the super-rich and you’ll be in the clear. Or least in your position for another term.